AN amateur boxing club has been given a £1,000 grant to help promote the sport among youngsters.

Bexley Amateur Boxing Club, based at the North Cray neighbourhood centre in Davis Way, off Bedens Road, North Cray, has been given the money by the Jack Petchey Foundation, which provides cash to organisations which benefit young people.

Coach at the club, former boxer turned London cabbie Harry Hurley, picked up the money from Bexley mayor Councillor Nick O'Hare.

Mr Hurley said the club had used the extra cash to buy 20 new pairs of boxing gloves.

He said: "We are the best boxing club in the area, so the kids deserve the best equipment to get them started in the sport."

A coach with the club for 26 years, Mr Hurley says he would like to see more boys and girls signing up.

To find out more about joining the club, or any other activities at the neighbourhood centre, call Gary Redding on 020 8308 3860.